The overall objective is to explore and test methods for use of (SAR) and other new satellite data, and their integration with geographical information systems (GIS), in monitoring meteorological and oceanographic conditions in regions of heavy sea traffic, to improve navigational safety, to aid coastal zone management (CZM), and to improve utilization of satellite observations in the user community. This report presents the results of the studies in Worpackage 2. The aim of the products is to provide useful information for many different users such as weather forecasting services, coastal and harbour authorities with responsibilities for ship traffic, coastal management, etc., pollution authorities, fisheries and aquaculture, offshore industry, navy and coast guard, marine research and resources management, shipping and ferry companies, energy companies, coastal engineering, local government and planning authorities, leisure activities and education. The work focused on five types of pro ducts: (1) high resolution wind fields from SAR, (2) spectral wave data from SAR, (3) wind and wave climatology from altimeter, (4) shallow water bathymetric charts, and (5) a group of SAR-derived products which map features such as currents, fronts and oil spills. In addition, the potential benefits of synergetic use of EO techniques in the analysis of selected ocean parameters was investigated, such as sea surface height and circulation features. The main results of this Work Package are as follows: Develop and test an algorithm for deriving wind speed from SAR images were refined and used in the project, and comparison with modelled wind fields. A new algorithm for deriving spectral wave data from SAR image spectra was developed, and adapted to work for SAR image mode data. Both this new algorithm as well as earlier algorithms were tested in Norwegian and Irish coastal areas and compared with buoy data. A planning tool for marine operators and emergency response units was augmented with monthly statistics of wind and waves, which were integrated with a GIS at ARGOSS. Data from this system (CLAMS) were also made available online, through the Internet. The GIS based Wave Atlas for Ireland was also further develop ed in the project, allowing comparison of wave height data obtained from a numerical model (WAM) and remote sensing data (altimeter). The Bathymetry Assessment System (BAS) was enhanced and integrated with the Cork GIS for demonstrations in Irish waters. The inclusion of auxiliary data from the GIS helped the BAS users determine suitable lo cations for applying the bathymetry algorithm. Mapping of ocean fronts, eddies and current patterns has been demonstrated by SAR. Field observations have b een used to document that frontal features in SAR images can be explained by gradients in the surface current field. SAR has also been used to observe natural surface slicks and man-made slicks such as oil spills. The wind speed is the main limiting factor, making observations difficult at wind speeds above 10 m/s. The Erim Ocean Model (EOM) was amended to take account of wave breaking processes generating extra centimetre-scale waves, but the initial analysis of model results indicated that further development of this model is needed to meet the user requirements. During the project period, DNMI used a wave mo del (WAM) for both high (10 km) and more coarse (50 km) resolution. The work in COASTMON contributed to the development of a data assimilation algorithm for altimeter data in this model. Further development and validation of DNMI's models will continue in other projects, such as EuroRose (MAST-I I I). SAR is not the only important spaceborne instrument for observation of ocean processes. Therefore, existing algorithms were applied to generate pro ducts for algal blo om and sea surface temperature from AVHRR images using IR and optical channels. The main limiting factor for visual/IR data is the cloud cover. Synergetic remote sensing was attempted in a few cases, and the most promising result was for detection of large and meso-scale circulation features using SAR and thermal IR imagery. This combination of satellite data can provide useful complementary information which can be associated with bathymetric features.

NERSC Technical Report no. 156. Funded by European Union, Contract no. ENV4-CT96-0360